The Atlantic Division champion Florida Panthers haven't been to the playoffs a whole lot recently. In fact, they've only reached the postseason once in the past 15 years.
Experience is often linked to playoff success, but that doesn't matter to Panthers head coach Gerard Gallant.
"I don't care if some guys haven't played in the playoffs yet," Gallant told George Richards of the Miami Herald. "They're young guys, so they haven't been there yet. We're a 103-point team, won our division. We're a good hockey team."
Included on the list of Panthers who've yet to compete in the playoffs are Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov, and Aaron Ekblad, but if you look through Florida's roster, the veterans surrounding the young core have plenty of postseason games under their belts.
Ageless wonder Jaromir Jagr has won two Stanley Cups, albeit many moons ago. Roberto Luongo was one win away from a ring of his own during his time in Vancouver, while Willie Mitchell - who won't suit up but is a strong influence in the dressing room - and Shawn Thornton have each won hockey's ultimate prize twice.
Panthers general manager Dale Tallon shares Gallant's sentiments in believing Florida's mixture of youth and experience will be just fine.
"We have a young team, a good blend with guys who have won Cups and played in a lot of playoff games," Tallon said. " We're counting on them to pass on the message to our young guys about being focused and elevating their game and their focus and all those things. We have to embrace the process. This is Game 83. We have to keep doing what we're doing, only do it better."
Florida kicks off its first playoff series since 2012 on Thursday when it hosts the New York Islanders.
